According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tooth decay is one of the most common chronic illnesses experienced by American children. For this reason, The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AADP) recommends that your child see a dentist as soon as their first tooth erupts, or by their first birthday.
When they first start going to the dentist, it’s common for children to be scared and confused, so they require special dental care and education different from the kind given to adults. That’s why, at Parkside Dental, our dentists provide pediatric dentistry services.
Pediatric dentistry is a field of dentistry focused on caring for children’s teeth from infancy into their teen years. Our pediatric dentists can provide your child with many of the same dental services they offer adults. However, they also help make your child comfortable enough to sit in the dentist’s chair, educate them on fun ways to practice proper oral hygiene, and start them on habits that will protect their oral health for years to come.
Dental sealants are a thin layer of plastic painted on to the back teeth, or molars. Molars are notoriously susceptible to cavities, because their deep grooves trap food particles in places where a toothbrush often can’t reach. While dental sealants are available to both children and adults, children especially can benefit from them. A study conducted for the CDC concluded that dental sealants decreased cavity rates in children by over 80 percent.
Your child’s younger years are when they form the habits that will help shape their health for a lifetime. By educating your children about proper oral hygiene techniques and the importance of regular teeth brushing and flossing, our pediatric dentists can help them build a strong foundation for oral health early in life. We’ll also educate you on how to help your child consistently practice these oral hygiene techniques at home.
Wisdom teeth are the third set of back molars which come in between the ages of 17 and 25. While some patients may not need to have their wisdom teeth removed, our pediatric dentists will examine your child’s mouth to see if their wisdom teeth are coming in crooked. If they are, our pediatric dentists may recommend wisdom teeth removal to prevent oral health issues such as:
Our pediatric dentists suggest following certain guidelines when it comes to preventing your child from developing cavities, such as:
The tell-show-do method is a great way to help you teach your child the importance and techniques behind proper dental care. It goes like this:
